This is the Terrific Body-Solid E300 Endurance Elliptical

The Body-Solid E300 Endurance elliptical trainer has been around for several years, but it continues to benefit from favorable reviews from users all over the U.S. to this day, just because it’s a well-built fitness machine. It doesn’t include features such as incline, online connectivity or amenities such as sound system or cooling fan, but on the other hand, it offers quite a unique center-drive design, which provides a very natural riding feel.

Frame construction

The Body-Solid E300 Endurance elliptical trainer features quite a heavy construction; its assembled weight is approx. 232 lbs (105.2 kg), which means that it’s made from thick steel tubing. However, on the other hand, all this weight adds a lot of stability to the device. You can be sure that it won’t wobble or rock even if you engage in the most demanding workouts.

Furthermore, once it’s assembled, the machine’s transport and relocation are not tricky. Its front base integrates a set of wheels while the rear is equipped with two handles. Therefore, you can easily lift it by these handles and lean it forward onto its wheel to change its location.

Drive system

The Body-Solid E300 Endurance elliptical trainer features a pretty unique design, which revolves around its drive system. As opposed to other elliptical trainers with a rear drive, such as the Sunny ASUNA 4300, or machines with a front drive such as the AFG Sports 5.7AE, the E300 has a center drive. This type of drive comes with a series of benefits. To begin with, its elliptical path is anatomically correct, and due to this fact, the pedaling motion generates a very natural running/walking feel. An elliptical with a rear or front drive may have too much vertical movement, which results in a down-hill or up-hill feeling.

The transmission between the primary pulley of the machine and the magnetic flywheel is done by a heavy-duty belt. This means that the use of the apparatus generates very little noise; also, the belt doesn’t require any lubrication.

The Pedals

The Body-Solid E300 Endurance elliptical trainer is equipped with a set of large pedals, which can accommodate feet of all sizes. They’re made of highly durable PVC material, and along with their sustaining steel elements, they can support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg). Their surface features small lugs to provide superior adherence.

The machine offers a stride of 21″ (53.3 cm), which is non-adjustable. This means it can accommodate users comfortably up to 6’3″ (190 cm). Taller users may not benefit from a complete range of motion, but still, they should be able to use the machine with no problem. Also, the highest point that the pedals can reach is approx. 16″ (40.6 cm) above floor level.

The pedals glide on large roller wheels which add smoothness to the ride. They feature a narrow Q-Factor which leads to correct positioning of the feet; due to this fact, a ride on this machine doesn’t result in any lateral stress on the knees or hips.

The Flywheel

The machine’s flywheel has most of its weight built-in its perimeter. This means it generates a steady and continuous motion. It’s not extremely heavy, but it is heavy enough to deliver a consistent momentum.

Two Sets of Handlebars

Last but not least, the E300 Endurance elliptical trainer is equipped with two sets of handlebars, mobile and fixed. The joints of the movable arms integrate heavy-duty ball bearings for a smooth motion and a prolonged lifespan. The fixed handlebars incorporate EKG sensors so that the console can monitor your heart rate if you hold onto them. Both sets of handlebars feature high-density foam grips for maximum comfort.

Resistance system

The Body-Solid E300 Endurance elliptical trainer is equipped with a motorized magnetic resistance system, which consists of a magnetic flywheel and a small servo motor. The machine requires being connected to a power circuit to deliver any resistance.

The resistance mechanism is relatively simple. As you select a specific level from the console, the servo motor will adjust the magnets’ pull, and the flywheel will generate more or less drag.

The machine offers 20 resistance settings. The first three parameters deliver a very light pedaling motion, while the 18-20 settings provide the possibility to perform high-intensity workouts. Also, the resistance can be adjusted “manually” from the console via the +/- digits; however, if you use one of the pre-set workout programs, the machine will auto-adjust its resistance depending on the workout segment.

Control unit

The console supplied with the Body-Solid E300 Endurance elliptical trainer is a LED-based one. It features two displays. The top, smaller one indicates time, distance, speed, strides/min, calories, calories/hour, pulse, and the selected resistance level. The large display (or the “Profile Window”) shows the program profile, the resistance bar, the heart rate bar, the lap progress and lap counter.

The console can measure distance in miles and kilometers and can calculate speed in both MPH and km/h. It can only track your pulse via the EKG sensors incorporated into the fixed handlebars; it does not work with wireless HR chest strap transmitters.

PROGRAM MODES

The E300 offers various program modes including a Quick-Start Mode, 6 Preset Program Modes, and two User Profile Modes.

MOUNTAIN

This program takes the user gradually up to a high resistance level, then brings the resistance level back down to the starting point. Also, this program simulates what one might encounter on an actual mountain course. This is a challenging program since higher tension levels are maintained for long periods of time.

HILL

This program takes the user through two hill profiles. Resistance changes are small during this program. This is an excellent program to get started with or for someone looking for a lower stress workout.

RANDOM

This program randomly generates a new program profile every time it is chosen. This allows you to keep the workouts fresh and motivating. When you scroll thru the programs to reach the RANDOM program, you will be able to see the program profile. If this profile is not to your liking, just scroll thru the programs again, and a new RANDOM application will be generated. Therefore, the RANDOM program will be different every time you use it.

INTERVAL

This program simulates interval training through a series of two hill profiles.

INTERVAL MOUNTAIN

This program simulates interval training thru a problematic mountain profile.

INTERVAL SPEED TRAINING

This program simulates interval training with more extreme levels of high and low-intensity levels.

TWO USER PROFILES:

User Profiles U1 and U2 allow you to customize and save an exercise session.

Heart Rate Monitor

The E300 comes equipped with Heart Rate Contacts. The Heart Rate Contacts send your heart rate information to the console for processing. To measure Heart Rate, your hands need to firmly grasp the entire area of the Heart Rate Contact Sensors on both sides of the handlebar.

The most common method for calculating your target heart rate is to find your maximum heart rate.

The American Heart Association recommends working out at a target heart rate zone of between 60% – 75% of your maximum heart rate.

Assembly and Maintenance

The machine’s assembly is not the easiest, but the included manual does provide clear and concise step-by-step instructions. Therefore, you will have to connect the console port and the rear part with the pulleys and pedals to the front part of the frame, add the arm joints and the arms, the fixed handlebars, the console and the bottle holder. Additionally, the whole task may take up to two hours.

For maintenance, it is recommended to check for loose parts periodically. Also, the moving parts and joints may require lubrication if they develop squeaks, and for that multi-purpose lubricant is recommended.

The Cons

No incline;

Doesn’t have a sound system;

No cooling fan;

Doesn’t have a tablet holder;

No online connectivity.

Final Thoughts on the Body-Solid E300 Endurance Elliptical

The Body-Solid E300 Endurance Elliptical is a center drive elliptical trainer with an extremely durable and stable construction. Furthermore, it offers 20 levels of motorized magnetic resistance, and six pre-set workouts on the console, along with the manual program. Although it doesn’t have a wide array of amenities, such as sound system, cooling fan or online connectivity, it’s still a decent elliptical machine due to its anatomically correct elliptical path. It’s excellent for light cardio workouts or recovery training, but also offers the possibility to undertake high-intensity interval workouts, for a high cardio output and weight loss.

I hope you found this article helpful and as always I look forward to your comments, questions and the sharing of ideas.

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34 Comments

Haripriya said:

I have to admit it is a terrific bike with a 9.6 rating out of 10 I would say it will be worth the price. This is far by the best bikes with cool features I have ever come across. I like it comes with a heart rate monitor which will be really helpful to monitor while exercising. Also features like Mountain, Hill and other features which will help us experience the situation at home itself. Looks sturdy and durable too. WIll definitely recommend to my friends as well.

If the Body-Solid E300 Endurance has, indeed, enjoyed rave reviews for years as it has been one of the best in the business. Defo a must-have for fitness buffs of all ages! Thanks for this thorough review, Robert

The elliptical trainer has a good warranty which is great considering it is not a cheap machine. The heart monitor, console and other features make it very enticing to purchase. Thank you very much for the detailed article.

The nicest thing is that the apparatus needs less maintenance. Over a period of time, this kind of gym equipment goes through wear and tear. Thus, running cost starts to bother. Here, this is a big positive point for this equipment.

An elliptical with a heart rate monitor is great. It would have been lovely if it came with an app. Notwithstanding, I would recommend this product to any exercise enthusiast who wants to endure demanding workout.

The E300 Endurance Elliptical seems to be living up to its name – it is optimized for endurance. The mountain simulator and the hill profiling gives one that impression. I would recommend this for anyone who wants to exercise for fitness.